Game apparatus.



L. H. BUCHANAN.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED 00124, 1911. 1,059, 1 1 1 Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

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Silver 0Z0 Sum/wh Lake/11506724120 PPARATUS.

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LUTHER I-I. BUCHANAN, DE LOS ANGE-LES, CALIFORNIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

Application filed October 4, 1911. Serial No. 652,731.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER H. BU- CI-IANAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to games or toys, and it has particular reference to that class of games in which a gameboard having a plurality of bins is used in connection with a chute through which balls or marbles are rolled to be discharged upon the gameboard where they will eventually lodge in some of the bins.

The object of the present invention is to produce a game of the character described which shall possess important educational features, the construction of the gameboard and the accessories being such as to enable a number of arithmetical and other games to be played with the outfit.

A further object of the invention is to pro duce a game outfit of simple and improved construction which may be readily disassembled and packed in small compass for storage or shipment.

A further object of the invention is to produce a gameboard to be used in connection with balls or marbles, said gameboard having bins or compartments with curved or arcuate walls to enable the balls entering said bins or compartments to be readily removed therefrom.

WVith these and other ends in view Which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form: of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the claims may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved game apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the gameboard which constitutes the lower part of the apparatus, the upper portion comprising the funnel or shoe and the supporting means for the same having been removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the gameboard as seen from a position at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the several sets of number marbles used in connection with the outfit. Fig. 5 is a plan View showing the several sets of money marbles, used in connection with the out-fit. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the gameboard. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the game apparatus complete. Fig. 8 is a perspective detail view of one of the leg members detached.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

The game apparatus comprises the gameboard or base B, the chute or funnel O and the supporting means D, whereby said funnel or chute is supported in position for operation above the gameboard. In addition to these parts, the complete outfit comprises.

four sets or groups of difi'erently colored so-called number marbles, as shown in Fig. 4E, and a plurality of so-called money marbles indicating different coin values, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The gameboard or base comprises a conical floor 1 which is surrounded by a circular upstanding flange 2. The surface of the floor is divided into eight equal sections or fields a, Z) which are alternately of contrasting colors, preferably light and dark, such as, for instance, white and black, although it is to be understood that other colors may be used. For convenience, however, it will be assumed that the ground color of the fields or sections a is white, while the ground color of the fields or sections 6 is black. Each section is provided with an arcuate or horse-shoe shaped wall portion 3 forming a bin or compartment which is open toward the center or apex of the base. The several wall portions abut upon the upstanding circumferential flange 2-, and the limbs of said wall portions are terminally connected, as will be best seen at 4 in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

In addition to the alternate contrasting field colors, each pair of diametrically opposite sections is distinguished from the remaining'pairs of diametrically opposite sections by colors which are applied within the circles 5. There being four pairs of diametrically opposed sections, four distinguishing colors are used, said colors being blue, green, orange and red, respectively, as

indicated by proper shading. The colored furthermore, be seen that the numerals of faced by each player.

the four sections comprising each half at one side of the line of demarcation indi cated by the three stars will total eighteen. It will also be seen that the numerals applied to the colored circles associated with the four sections of either field color will total eighteen. These numbers are to be counted in tallying the scores of various games played with the improved apparatus, and as the game is frequently played by two participants pitted against each other, the purpose of the diametrical line of demarcation, as well'as of the arrangement of the numerals to total the same amount at each side of such line will be readily apparent. In like manner, when the game is participated in by four contestants, each player may select one of the four colors, and the two bins distinguished by such color will be associated with numerals totaling the same amount of any other two bins having one and the same distinguishing color, thereby giving each player an equal chance.

The rim 2 of the gameboard is eXteriorly provided with four indicators 7, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, said indicators being colored to correspond with the four colors of the numbered circles associated with the diametrically opposite sections or compartments. The indicators 7 are placed 90 degrees apart, and each corresponds in color and relative location to the colors in the compartments selected by the player, each star being located at a point intermediate two bins or compartments. Thus when the game is played by four persons, each player selects a color, and assuming that they are to be seated at the sides of a square table upon which the gameboard is placed, the said gameboard may be so disposed that an indicator of the color selected will be It will follow that each player will occupy a similar position with reference to the sections selected by him as is occupied by the remaining players.

8 designates a chute or funnel having a circumferential upstanding flange 9 which is provided with sockets 10 for the reception of the upper ends of legs or supporting members 11, the lower ends of which are connected together by arch members 12; each pair of legs being formed from a single piece of wire or metal rod which is bent to form the central arch portion 12, after which additional loops or bends 14 are made to form the upwardly extending legs 11. The loops 14 are adapted to be supported in the spaces 15 between the upstanding are four sets of so-called number marbles.

16, each set being preferably provided with a separate box, casin or container 17. The four sets are colored blue, green, orange and red to correspond with the colors of the numbered circles 5 associated with the several sections of the gameboard. There is also provided a number of so-called money marbles comprising a set of three gold colored marbles 18 which are of different sizes to indicate the different denominations of current gold coins, namely, $20, $10, and $5. There is a set of four silver colored marbles 19 which are of different sizes to indicate the denominations of current silver coins, namely, $1, 50 cents, 25 cents and 10 cents. There is also a white marble 20 to designate the five cent nickel, and there is finally a copper colored marble 21 to indicate one cent.

With the outfit as herein described a great variety of games may be played, according to rules which have been or may be formulated. It is generally premised, however, that when the game is played by four persons, each player selects a color and holds at the beginning of the game ten marbles having such color. After the players are seated in their proper relative positions around the gameboard, the marbles are rolled through the funnel or chute, being given a spiral movement therethrough, the marbles finally dropping upon the conical. gameboard where they will find their way into the various compartments or pockets. The manner of counting the game will vary according to the rules governing the particular game which is being played. When the money marbles are used, each player in turn may roll the nine marbles constituting the set, and, again, the manner of counting may be varied according to the particular rules laid down. It will be understood that the sections or compartments held by each player are initially allied in this that the numbers of such compartments will total the sum, namely, nine. Under special rules, the contrasting field colors of the sections a and b may be used to indicate gain or loss in the counting, as the case may be, thereby varying the possibilities of the game.

It is found that with the improved ap- .addition to this it will be found that when properly played, the game will afford valu able practice and instruction in the science of arithmetic, various games being based not only upon the principles of addition, subtraction,multiplication and division, but also upon percentage and the calculation of i11- terest, thus stimulating in the acquisition of valuable knowledge.

One valuable and desirable feature of the improved game apparatus resides in the fact that after the playing or rolling of each set of balls or marbles, the count may be made without removing or disturbing the position of the chute or funnel 8, since the various pockets or compartments are eX- pos-ed to view beneath the sloping walls of said funnel. It will, furthermore, be seen that owing to the curved or arcuate shape of the walls 3 of the individual compartments, the balls or marbles lodging in said compartments may be very easily and conveniently removed, which is not always the case in gameboards having walled compartments.

In the foregoing the improved gameboard has been described as being divided into eight equal sections, and this may be said to be the preferred construction of the board, because this peculiar subdivision will lend itself to the arrangement of the numerals l to 8 in the manner indicated, under which arrangement the numerals applied to any two diametrically opposed sections will total nine, while the numerals applied in connec tion with any four alternate sections will total eighteen, and the numerals applied to the four sections on either side of a diametrical line of demarcation will likewise'total eighteen. It is desired to be understood, however, that under some circumstances, for instance, in the construction of the game on a smaller scale, a diflerent number of sections or subdivisions may be used. The game might thus be constructed with four or six subdivisions, in which event the arrangement of the numerals must be somewhat varied from that herein described. On the other hand, it may be at times desirable to construct the device on a larger scale; for instance, for the purpose of utilizing the same in the instruction of pupils "in the school room. In such event it would be entirely feasible to construct the gameboard with a larger number of subdivisions, and it is desired to be distinctly understood that no limitation is desired or intended in this respect as long as the general principles of construction hereinbefore described and within the scope of the appended claims is adhered to.

A great variety of interesting and entertaining games maybe played with the improved apparatus, and it is intended to furnish a book of instructions for playing a number of such games, such book of instructions having been copyrighted in the year 1911 by applicant. It may be stated in a general way that in games played with the number marbles the contrasting ground colors may indicate loss and gain, and the number of the bin into which a marble rolls may be added to or deducted from the score of theplayer. The colors of the numbered circular spaces identify the bins or compartments assigned to or owned by the individual players. In some games marbles entering bins owned by opposing players are not counted; hence arises one of the advantages of having the number marbles colored to correspond with the distinguishing colors of the bins.

In games played with the money marbles each player starts with the same amount. In tallying, the amount of each marble may be multiplied by the number of the bin which it enters, and the total may be added to or subtracted from the score of the player, according to the ground color of the game.

The foregoing are only a few suggestions of the many games and combinations which. may be played with the improved apparatus, and it will be readily seen that the game when properly directed may be made both interesting and mentally profitable to the participants.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. A gameboard comprising a conical base having a circumferential upstanding flange, said base being radially divided into equal sections of alternate contrasting colors, and each section having a wall member abutting upon the flange and constituting a compartment opening in the-direction of the center of the base; each pair of diametrically opposite sections being provided with a space of a color contrasting from the field color and from the colored spaces of the remaining sections.

2. A gameboard comprisinga conical base having a circumferential upstanding flange, saidbase being radially divided into eight equal sections of alternate contrasting colors, and each section having a wall member abutting upon the flange and constituting a compartment opening in the direction of the center of the base; each pair of diametrically opposite sections being provided with a space of a color contrasting from the field color and from the colored spaces of the remain ing sections; and each colored space being provided with a number, the numbers of each pair of diametrically opposed sections totaling nine, and the numbers applied to the eight sections being from 1 to 8, inclusive.

3. A gameboard comprising a conical base radially divided into eight sections of alternately contrasting field colors, each section having a pocket or compartment opening in the direction of the center of the board, said board having a diametrical line of demarcation, each pair of diametrically opposed sections being provided with a colored space, the color of which contrasts from the colored spaces of the remaining sections, and said colored spaces being numbered from 1 to 8, inclusive; the numbers being so arranged that the numbers applied to each pair of diametrically opposed sections shall total nine, and also so that the numbers applied to the four sections at each side of the diametrical line of demarcation shall total eighteen.

t. A conical gameboard having eight equal radial sections, each equipped with a pocket open in the direction of the center of the board, and said spaces being of alternate contrasting colors; each pair of diametrically opposed sections being also provided with similarly colored spaces, the colors of which contrast with the field colors and with the colored spaces of the remaining sections, said colored spaces being numbered from 1 to 8, inclusive, and the numbers of each pair of diametrically opposed sections totaling nine; in combination with a tunnel or chute supported detachably above the board and sets of balls or marbles colored to indicate gold, silver, nickel and copper coins and of varying sizes to indicate various denominations of coins.

5. A gameboard comprising a conical base radially. divided into eight sections of alternately contrasting fiefld colors, each section Copies of this patent may be obtained for having a pocket or compartment opening in the direction of the center of the board, said A board having a diametrical line of demarcation, and said sections being numbered from 1 to 8, inclusive; the numbers being so arranged that the numbers applied to each pair of diametrically opposed sections will total nine; that the numbers applied to the four sections at each side of the diametrical line of demarcation shall total eighteen; and that the numbers applied to alternate sections distinguished by either field color shall total eighteen.

G. A gameboard comprising a conical base radially divided into eight sections of alternately contrasting field colors, each section having a pocket or compartment opening in the direction of the center of the board, said board having a diametrical line of demarcation, each pair of diametrically opposed sections being provided with a colored space, the color of which contrasts from the color spaces of the remaining sections, and said colored spaces being numbered from 1 to 8, inclusive; the numbers being so arranged that the numbers applied to each pair of diametrically opposed sections shall total nine; that the numbers applied to the four sections at each side of the diamet-rical line of demarcation shall total eighteen; and that the numbers applied to any four alternate sections shall total eighteen.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUTHER H. BUCHANAN.

Vitnesses Var. BAGGER, BENNETT S. JONES.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

